ix, 363 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 32 cm
Notes
"Published on the occasion of the exhibition Drawn with spirit: Pennsylvania German Fraktur from the Joan and Victor Johnson Collection, February 1-April 26, 2015"--Title page verso.
Author signature on title page.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 351-353) and index.
Contents
Foreword / Timothy Rub -- The sixty-year quest: an interview with Joan and Victor Johnson / Ann Percy -- An introduction to pennsylvania German fraktur -- Plates / photography by Graydon Wood.
Summary
Among the most beloved forms of American folk art, fraktur is a Germanic tradition of decorated manuscripts and printed documents noted for its use of bold colors and whimsical motifs. This publication makes a landmark contribution to the study of Pennsylvania German fraktur, and offers the most comprehensive study of the topic in over 50 years. The featured objects, most of which have never been published, accompany significant new information about the artists who made these works and the people who owned them. An introductory essay sets the renowned Johnson Collection within the context of collecting and scholarship on Pennsylvania German folk art and then highlights major new discoveries, including connections between fraktur and related examples of furniture and prints. An interview with the collectors offers valuable insights into the formation of this special group of objects, which includes birth and baptismal certificates, bookplates, religious texts, writing samples, house blessings, cutworks, and printed broadsides. The splendid color illustrations reveal schools of artistic and regional influence, giving a nuanced understanding of how artists took inspiration from one another and how designs were transferred to new locations. Detailed catalogue entries include extensive information about each piece as well as complete translations. Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, USA (01.02.-26.04.2015).
Machine generated contents note: Michelle Robinson Obama -- Laura Welch Bush -- Hillary Rodham Clinton -- Barbara Pierce Bush -- Nancy Davis Reagan -- Rosalynn Smith Carter -- Elizabeth Bloomer Ford -- Thelma Ryan Nixon -- Claudia Taylor Johnson -- Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy -- Mamie Doud Eisenhower -- Elizabeth Wallace Truman -- Anna Eleanor Roosevelt -- Lou Henry Hoover -- Grace Goodhue Coolidge -- Florence Kling Harding -- Edith Bolling Galt Wilson -- Ellen Axson Wilson -- Helen Herron Taft -- Edith Carow Roosevelt -- Ida Saxton McKinley -- Caroline Scott Harrison -- Frances Folsom Cleveland -- Lucretia Rudolph Garfield -- Lucy Webb Hayes -- Julia Dent Grant -- Mary Todd Lincoln -- Harriet Rebecca Lane -- Jane Appleton Pierce -- Abigail Powers Fillmore -- Sarah Childress Polk -- Julia Gardiner Tyler -- Letitia Christian Tyler -- Louisa Johnson Adams -- Elizabeth Kortright Monroe -- Dolley Payne Todd Madison -- Abigail Smith Adams -- Martha Dandridge Custis Washington.
Summary
"The Smithsonian First Ladies Collection is a beautifully illustrated book inspired by one of the most popular attractions at the Smithsonian: the first ladies exhibit at the National Museum of American History. This striking book showcases the treasures from first ladies throughout history, ranging from Martha Washington's silk dress and dressing mirror to Michelle Obama's 2009 inaugural gown and jewelry. These and many other unforgettable objects--including gowns, tableware, and invitations from beloved first ladies such as Mamie Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and more--tell the story of the first ladies as public and private figures. They illustrate how these women, thrust into an influential and visible role by happenstance of marriage, adapted themselves and the role of first lady by taking on responsibilities as campaigners, hostesses, and policy advocates. The Smithsonian First Ladies Collection features many treasures not on view at the exhibit. Complete with an insider's look at the acquisition, conservation, and exhibition of the pieces as well as a timeline of all forty-six first ladies, this is a must-have for anyone fascinated by these incredible women and their roles in American culture and political life"--
